U.S. patent application number 10/754149 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-22 for endophyte of a tall fescue variety having rhizomes.
This patent application is currently assigned to Barenbrug USA, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bruijn, Jacobus de.
Application Number | 20040143875 10/754149 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29547873 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040143875 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bruijn, Jacobus de |
July 22, 2004 |
Endophyte of a tall fescue variety having rhizomes
Abstract
A tall fescue variety known as breeder's code Bar Fa 08PB and
seed used to produce the grass are provided. Methods of using the
grass plant and the seed are also provided. This grass is suitable
for use in turf (lawns, pastures, golf courses, sod, and other
areas where excellent turf quality is desired) and forage
pastures.
Inventors: |
Bruijn, Jacobus de; (Mas
Grenier, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KLARQUIST SPARKMAN, LLP
121 SW SALMON STREET
SUITE 1600
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Assignee: |
Barenbrug USA, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
29547873 |
Appl. No.: |
10/754149 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10754149 |
Jan 9, 2004 |
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10066345 |
Jan 30, 2002 |
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6677507 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
800/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H 5/12 20130101; Y02A
40/223 20180101; Y02A 40/22 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
800/320 |
International
Class: |
A01H 005/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A tall fescue plant, comprising the morphological and
physiological properties of a grass plant grown from a seed
deposited under American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) No.
PTA-3825.
2. Sod, comprising the grass plant of claim 1.
3. Hay, comprising the grass plant of claim 1.
4. Turf, comprising the grass plant of claim 1.
5. An athletic field, comprising the grass plant of claim 1.
6. The grass plant of claim 1 planted in a golf course fairway.
7. The grass plant of claim 1 planted in a golf course rough.
8. The grass plant of claim 1 planted in a lawn.
9. The grass plant of claim 1 planted in an athletic field.
10. The grass plant of claim 1 planted in a park.
11. The grass plant of claim 1 planted in a pasture.
12. Progeny of a grass plant according to claim 1.
13. Seed of the grass plant of claim 1.
14. A seed mixture, comprising the seed of claim 13.
15. A vegetative sprig or clone of the grass plant of claim 1.
16. The grass plant of claim 1, further comprising at least one
transgene.
17. Seed resulting from crossing the grass plant of claim 1 with a
second grass plant.
18. A grass plant grown from the seed of claim 17.
19. Sod, comprising the grass plant of claim 18.
20. Hay, comprising the grass plant of claim 18.
21. The grass plant of claim 18 planted in a golf course
fairway.
22. The grass plant of claim 18 planted in a golf course rough.
23. The grass plant of claim 18 planted in a lawn.
24. The grass plant of claim 18 planted in an athletic field.
25. The grass plant of claim 18 planted in a park.
26. The grass plant of claim 18 planted in a pasture.
27. A method of producing grass seed, comprising planting the grass
seed of claim 13 under conditions that result in the germination of
the seed, growth of grass plants and setting of progeny seed; and
harvesting the progeny seed.
28. Grass seed produced by the method of claim 27.
29. A mixture of grass seed comprising the grass seed of claim
28.
30. A method of producing a grass plant, the method comprising:
crossing a first grass plant with at least one other grass plant to
produce at least one seed, wherein the first grass plant is the
grass of claim 1; harvesting the seed; and germinating the seed to
produce at least one progeny grass plant.
31. A grass plant produced by the method of claim 30.
32. Sod, comprising the grass plant of claim 31.
33. Hay, comprising the grass plant of claim 31.
34. The grass plant of claim 31 planted in a golf course
fairway.
35. The grass plant of claim 31 planted in a golf course rough.
36. The grass plant of claim 31 planted in a lawn.
37. The grass plant of claim 31 planted in an athletic field.
38. The grass plant of claim 31 planted in a park.
39. The grass plant of claim 31 planted in a pasture.
40. A vegetative sprig or clone of the grass plant of claim 31.
41. The grass plant of claim 31, further comprising at least one
transgene.
42. Grass seed deposited as ATCC No: PTA-3825.
43. Turf, comprising a grass plant germinated from the seed of
claim 42.
44. An endophyte of the grass plant of claim 1.
45. The endophyte of claim 44, wherein the grass plant comprises
about 55 ppb of ergovaline and <100 ppb of lolitrem B.
46. An endophyte of the seed of claim 13.
47. The endophyte of claim 46, wherein the seed comprises about 55
ppb of ergovaline and <100 ppb of lolitrem B.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to a tall fescue grass having
rhizomes that has a superior turf quality compared to other known
tall fescues with rhizomes. One embodiment of this grass is known
as breeder's code Bar Fa 08PB.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is a short- to
medium height, cool-season, perennial grass used extensively for
pasture, hay, and turf, that has smooth, soft, bright green leaves
with arrow-shaped tips. Tall fescue is an excellent low-maintenance
turfgrass, due to its ability to tolerate drought and shade (See
Tall Fescue, Edited by Buckner and Bush, Published by the American
Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil
Science Society of America. ASA Monograph Number 20. 1979. ISBN
0-89118-057-5). However, tall fescue has a limited use in areas
which experience extreme high or low temperatures, such as the
Southeastern United States. In addition, a major problem with tall
fescue it its slow recovery from injury (such as overgrazing and
over-mowing) and its tendency to become clump if not
overseeded.
[0003] Rhizomes are underground stems that allow grasses to spread
and form a close-knit sod that regrows after injury. Rhizomes
benefit plants by storing carbohydrates, which increases heat and
wear resistance of the plant, and allows the plant to spread and
compete better in a sward. Rhizomes also provide growing points
under the surface of the soil, where they are better protected from
temperature, prolonged drought, and overgrazing. Therefore, it is
desirable to increase rhizome production in tall fescue to promote
persistence under conditions of stress, such as extremes in
temperature. This may allow tall fescue plants to perennate in
areas now considered marginal for its adaptation and use.
[0004] Although others rhizomatous tall fescue plants have been
described, the tall fescues described have not been ideal.
Genotypic variability for rhizome production has been documented,
and no genotype x location interaction was reported for the trait.
For example, De Battista and Bouton (Crop Science, 30:536-540,
1990) describe a tall fescue which took at least seven months of
growth before rhizome expression occurred under greenhouse
conditions. Furthermore, there was no correlation between the top
rhizome producers in the greenhouse to the top rhizome producers in
the field. Studies by Bouton et al. (Agron J. 81:220-23, 1989)
demonstrated that bermudagrass competition depressed rhizome
production, but that even the most rhizomatous genotype 83-29
produced only 0.2 to 0.4 rhizomes per tiller, and the plants only
spreading up to 0.3 m per year (Cowan Adv. Agron. 8:293-320,
1956).
[0005] Therefore, there is a need to identify a tall fescue having
rhizomes which can grow in subtropical climates and the southern
portion of the transition zone, recover quickly from injury, and
reproducibly produce high-quality turf.
SUMMARY
[0006] Herein disclosed is a tall fescue variety known as breeder's
code Bar Fa 08PB that is different from all known varieties of tall
fescue plants. In one embodiment, mature Bar Fa 08PB plants reach a
height from about 90 cm to about 135.5 cm tall, produce about 1 to
about 10 rhizomes per plant, which are from about 1 cm to about 33
cm in length, have a high rust-resistance tolerance, and/or have a
high turf quality rating when the plants are about one year in age.
In another embodiment, Bar Fa 08PB plants tolerate mowing better
than other tall fescues having rhizomes, such as Torpedo
(variety).
[0007] At least 2500 seeds of Bar Fa 08PB were deposited with The
American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, VA; ATCC Deposit
No. PTA-3825) on Nov. 5, 2001 under the Budapest Treaty. These
seeds will be irrevocably and without restriction released to the
public upon the issuance of a patent. Therefore, these seeds are
known and readily available to the public. In one embodiment, the
disclosure provides grass seed deposited as ATCC No: PTA-3825.
[0008] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides tall fescue
plants having the morphological and physiological characteristics
of Bar Fa 08PB. Also disclosed are seeds of such plants, progeny of
such plants, and vegetative sprigs or clones of such plants. In
another embodiment, the disclosure provides grass plants having the
genotype of Bar Fa 08PB.
[0009] The disclosure also encompasses tall fescue plants that are
produced by crossing Bar Fa 08PB with other grass varieties. Also
disclosed are seeds resulting from such a cross, grass plants grown
from such seeds, and vegetative sprigs or clones from such a cross.
In one embodiment, the seeds resulting from the cross are part of a
seed mixture.
[0010] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of
producing grass seed, including planting seed from Bar Fa 08PB
under conditions that result in the germination of the seed, growth
of grass plants and setting of progeny seed, and then harvesting
the progeny seed. Also disclosed is grass seed produced by this
method, as well as grass seed mixtures including such grass
seed.
[0011] Also disclosed is a method of producing a grass plant which
includes crossing a grass plant produced from Bar Fa 08PB with at
least one other grass plant to produce at least one seed,
harvesting the seed, and germinating the seed to produce at least
one progeny grass plant. Included in the disclosure are grass
plants produced using this method, as well as a vegetative sprig or
clone of the grass plant.
[0012] The grass plants disclosed herein can be planted in a
variety of areas, for example in areas where turf is desired.
Examples include, but are not limited to: golf courses, for example
golf course fairways and roughs; lawns; athletic fields, such as
football fields, baseball fields, soccer fields, lacrosse fields,
and tennis courts; parks; and pastures, such as areas for animal
grazing. In one embodiment, the grass plants disclosed herein are
used for erosion control, such as in grass waterways. In another
embodiment, the grass plants disclosed herein are adapted to low
mowing.
[0013] The disclosure also includes sod or animal feed, such as
hay, which includes the grass plants disclosed herein. The sod can
be planted in any area where grass plants are desired, such as the
areas listed above.
[0014] In one embodiment, the grass plants disclosed herein include
one or more transgenes.
[0015] Endophytes associated with the disclosed grass plants and
seeds are disclosed. In one example, endophytes produce one or more
alkaloids, such as lolitrem B and/or ergovaline at levels not toxic
to livestock. In particular examples, endophytes produce less than
about 300 ppb ergovaline, such as less than about 100 ppb, 80 ppb,
or 60 ppb, such as about 55 ppb of ergovaline. Alternatively or in
addition, endophytes produce less than 1800 ppb of lolitrem B, such
as less than about 1000 ppb, 750 ppb, 500 ppb, 300 ppb, 200 ppb or
100 ppb of lolitrem B.
[0016] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of
the new tall fescue variety described herein will become more
apparent from the following detailed description of several
embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying
figure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE
[0017] FIG. 1 is a digital image of an exemplary Bar Fa 08PB
showing the length of rhizomes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS
EXAMPLE 1
Origin and Breeding History of Tall Fescue Variety Bar Fa 08PB
[0018] The Bar Fa 08PB (Festuca arundinacea) variety was developed
by Barenbrug U.S.A., Inc. at the Barenbrug Research Station in Mas
Grenier, France. This variety was developed for its rhizomatous
phenotype, and its ability to produce high-quality turf. This
variety, because of its rhizomatous spreading, is useful for
growing tall fescue sod for turf.
[0019] The breeding program was designed to breed and select for a
tall fescue cultivar adapted to marginal lawn conditions in
subtropical climates and the southern portion of the transition
zone. Such tall fescue plants should mix better with warm season
lawn species and growing sod where Kentucky bluegrass (Poa
pratensis L.) is not adapted. The rhizome trait in tall fescue
should impart better persistence and competitive ability in area
marginal for its adaptation or in mixed swards (Bouton et al.,
Agron J 81:220-23, 1989).
[0020] The selection of Bar Fa 08PB began during a collection trip
in 1993 of ecotypes of rhizomatous tall fescue found in Northwest
Portugal which were randomly pollinated the same year with a
genepool of American and European tall fescue selections. To
increase the success in this crossing, flowers of the grass were
inspected daily, and the pollen of the father-lines was moved to
the flowers of the mother-lines at the appropriate time.
[0021] The F1 of 26 plants were planted in Mas grenier, France.
From these 26 plants, 24 harvested F2 isolations were obtained in
1994. Due to the very low seed set, only a small turf trial was
realized in Mas Grenier in 1995, and only four lines showed
promising turf performance. The original plants from this
collection were also planted in a turf trial, but none
survived.
[0022] After planting the four lines which demonstrated promising
turf performance in isolation, one line did not show enough
aggressiveness and another yielded too little seed. The remaining
two lines were crossed and harvested as Bar Fa 08PB in 1998. This
seed was used to harvest nucleus seed in 1999, which delivered the
breeder seed of ATCC PTA-3825. This new harvest yielded better then
the former F2. Bar Fa 08PB has been tested and compared to other
tall fescues, such as the creeping cultivar Torpedo, in a variety
of trial fields in France, Italy and the USA (North Carolina) as
described below.
[0023] Seed propagation is limited to three generations of increase
from breeder seed: one each of foundation, registered and
certified. Breeder seed is maintained at Barenbrug, U.S.A, Inc., in
Oregon. Bar Fa 08PB is a stable and uniform variety. No off-types
or variants have been observed in the reproduction or
multiplication of this variety from the breeder seed nursery to the
foundation field.
EXAMPLE 2
Seed Deposits
[0024] Seeds of the tall fescue variety Bar Fa 08PB were deposited
with the ATCC (Manassas, Va.) under the Budapest Treaty on Nov. 5,
2001 under accession number PTA-3825. The variety is also
maintained at, and available from, Barenbrug U.S.A., Inc., P.O. Box
239, Tangent, Oreg. 97389.
EXAMPLE 3
Seedling Vigor and Turf Quality
[0025] The following growth characteristics were observed for Bar
Fa 08PB plants that were approximately one or two years old, grown
in seeded turf plots in Mas Grenier, France (Table 1), Vicenza,
Italy (Table 2), or the Sandhills Research Station at the North
Carolina State University (NCSU), North Carolina, USA (Table 3).
Variations on these measurements, or any other measurement
disclosed herein, may be observed for plants of differing ages,
grown in other locations, grown under different prevailing weather
conditions (for example variations in rainfall, temperature, and/or
photoperiod), grown at different times of the year, mowing
conditions, and/or grown in different soil.
[0026] Tall fescue seeds were sown in September 1999 at a seed
quantity of 150 kg/ha, over three plots, each 0.75 square meters,
in Mas Grenier, France. Rebel II (variety) seeds were obtained from
ABT, USA. Torpedo (variety) seeds were obtained from Agriseeds, New
Zealand.
[0027] The information provided in Table 1 relating to seedling
vigor, snow mold resistance, persistence and turf quality (TQ)
ratings (seasonal density, genetic color, and leaf texture) is
derived from various turf trials. These data are expressed in
numbers ranging from 1-9, with 1 representing low vigor, low snow
mold resistance (diseased), low ground cover, or low TQ, and 9
representing desirable vigor, high mold resistance (no disease),
high ground cover, and high turf quality.
1TABLE 1 Growth Characteristics in Mas Grenier, France* Avg. Aver-
Ground Snow Mold Ground Winter Summer age Variety Cover.sup.a
resistance .sup.a Cover.sup.b TQ.sup.c TQ.sup.d TQ.sup.e Rebel II
7.7 8 7.7 4.7 5.7 5.1 Bar Fa 08PB 8 5.7 4.8 4.7 4.3 4.3 Torpedo 6.3
6.3 1.8 1.3 1.3 1.2 cv.(variet).sup.$ 2.9 4.9 9.8 16.8 5.3 4.9 LSD
(.05).sup.# 0.7 1.1 1.8 2.3 0.7 0.6 Avg or 100.sup.! 7.3 6.5 5.2
3.9 4.1 3.7 .sup.*Mean measurements taken on a tall fescue turf
trial on: .sup.aFeb. 26, 1999; .sup.bFeb. 4, 1999 and May 10, 1999;
.sup.cFeb. 29, 2000; .sup.dAug. 8, 2000; .sup.eFeb. 29, 2000, Jun.
2, 2000, Aug. 23, 2000, Nov. 30, 2000. .sup.$cv (coefficient of
variation): Expresses the experimental error as percentage of mean;
thus, the higher the cv value, the lower the reliability of the
experiment. .sup.#To determine statistical differences among
entries, subtract one entry's mean from another entry's mean.
Statistical differences occur when this value is equal to or larger
than the corresponding L.S.D. value. .sup.!To calculate the
average, the value for each entry was added, then divided by the
total number of entries.
[0028] A similar study was conducted in Vicenza, Italy as follows.
Tall fescue seeds were sown in September 1999 at a seed quantity of
160 kg/ha, over two plots, each 1 square meter. Southern Choice
(variety) seeds were obtained from Southern States, USA. Bonsai
(variety) seeds were obtained from TMI, USA. Plantation (variety)
seeds were obtained from Pennington Seed Company, USA. Barlexas II
(variety) seeds were obtained from Barenbrug USA. Torpedo (variety)
seeds were obtained from Agriseeds, New Zealand.
[0029] The information provided in Table 2 relating to
establishment and TQ ratings (seasonal density, genetic color, and
leaf texture) is derived from turf trials in Vicenza, Italy. These
data are expressed in numbers ranging from 1-9, with 1 representing
low establishment or low TQ, and 9 representing high establishment
and high turf quality. Establishment is the combination of seedling
vigor and rapidity of groundcover in the first three months after
planting. Statistical analysis was performed as described above in
Table 1.
2TABLE 2 Growth Characteristics in Vicenza, Italy* Variety Average
Establishment.sup.a Summer TQ.sup.b Average TQ.sup.c Southern
Choice 6.8 6 7 Bonsai 6.3 5.5 6.9 Plantation 6.5 6 6.8 Barlexas II
6.8 5.5 6.8 Bar Fa 08PB 6.8 5 5.8 Torpedo 6.5 3.5 4.8 c.v. =. 7
10.5 4.4 LSD (0.05) = 1.3 1.7 .8 Avg. or 100 = 6 5.2 6.2 *Mean
measurements taken on a tall fescue turf trial on: .sup.athree
measurements taken on Oct. 23, 1999, Nov. 23, 1999, and Nov. 30,
1999; .sup.bAug. 18, 2000; .sup.ceight measurements taken between
Jan. 11, 2000 and Oct. 5, 2000.
[0030] A similar study was conducted at the Sandhills Research
Station at NCSU, as follows. Tall fescue seeds were sown in the
fall of 1999 at a seed quantity of 250 kg/ha, over three plots,
each 1 square meter. Millenium (variety) seeds were obtained from
TMI, USA, and Barlexas II (variety) seeds obtained from Barenbrug
USA. The information provided in Table 3 relating to TQ ratings
(seasonal density, genetic color, and leaf texture), winter color,
density, and brown patch tolerance (that is, tolerance to
Rhizoctonia solani, for example see Tani and Beard, Color Atlas of
Turfgrass diseases, ISBN 1-57504-021-2), is derived from turf
trials at the Sandhills Research Station at NCSU. These data are
expressed in numbers ranging from 1-9, with 1 representing low TQ,
poor winter color, low density, and low tolerance to brown patch
(diseased), and 9 representing good winter color, high density,
high brown patch tolerance (no disease) and high turf quality.
Statistical analysis was performed as described above in Table
1.
3TABLE 3 Growth Characteristics at the Sandhills Research Station
at NCSU* Brown Patch Variety Average TQ.sup.a Winter Color.sup.b
Density.sup.c Tolerance.sup.d Millenium 6 4.7 8.7 8.7 Barlexas II
5.1 4 9 9 Bar Fa 08PB 4.7 5.3 7.7 7.7 c.v. =. 5.8 5.1 8.8 4.6 LSD
(0.05) = 1.2 0.9 1.8 1.5 Avg. or 100 = 5.3 4.7 5.1 8.4 *Mean
measurements taken on a tall fescue turf trial on: .sup.ain 2001;
.sup.bFeb. 15, 2001; .sup.cMay 9, 2001; .sup.dJune 11, 2001.
[0031] Therefore, as shown in Tables 1-2, the Bar Fa 08PB variety
has a superior turf quality to other known tall fescues, including
tall fescues known to have rhizomes such as Torpedo. Table 3 shows
that the Bar Fa 08PB variety has a similar turf quality as other
tall fescues which do not have rhizomes.
EXAMPLE 4
Morphological and Rhizome Characteristics
[0032] Field trials were conduced to compare morphological and
rhizome characteristics of the Bar Fa 08PB variety to currently
used tall fescue grass varieties.
[0033] Seeds from nine different tall fescue varieties were sown in
greenhouse potting medium in October 2000. After germination, the
seedlings were transplanted into plug trays in November 2000.
Seedlings were grown in the greenhouse until the plugs were filled
with roots. At that time, December 2000, the plug seedlings were
transplanted in a field nursery near Albany, Oreg. The seedlings
were transplanted two feet apart. Sixty seedlings from each variety
were grown in this field nursery. The field nursery was maintained
with crop management practices used for grass seed production
systems in the region. In mid July 2001, the following
morphological characteristics were measured: (1) plant height; one
measurement per plant; (2) flag leaf height (the flag leaf is the
highest leaf on a grass stem); three measurements per plant on
different tillers; (3) flag leaf blade length; three measurements
per plant on different tillers; (4) flag leaf blade width; three
measurements per plant on different tillers; (5) panicle length;
three measurements per plant on different tillers; (6) tiller leaf
width; one measurement per plant; (7) tiller leaf length; one
measurement per plant; (8) first internode length; one measurement
per plant; (9) peduncle length; one measurement per plant; (10)
panicle height; one measurement per plant; (11) rust tolerance: one
visual observation per plant.
[0034] The trial consisted of commercially available cultivars and
the Bar Fa 08PB variety. All seeds listed in Tables 4-9, except Bar
Fa 08PB and Torpedo, were obtained from Regional Plant Introduction
Station, Washington State University, United States Department of
Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 59 Johnson Hall, P.O.
Box 646402, Pullman, Wash., USA 99164-6402.
[0035] Tables 4-6 show comparisons of several morphological
characteristics of the Bar Fa 08PB variety with other tall fescue
varieties. Statistical analysis was performed as described above.
Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ.
4TABLE 4 Morphological Measurements of Tall Fescues. Character
Rated Rating Data Type Flag Leaf Leaf Blade Leaf Blade Rating Unit
Height Length Width Variety cm cm mm Bonsai 24.97 e 6.51 d 5.31 b
Bonanza 42.26 bc 12.34 a 7.1 a Bar Fa 08PB 46.5 b 11.1 abc 6.4 a
Kentucky 31 Endo+ 61.22 a 12.16 ab 6.81 a Rebel II 40.77 bc 11.7
abc 6.62 a Rebel Jr 28.57 e 9.71 c 6.05 ab Shortstop 37.32 cd 10.41
abc 6.51 a Silverado 32.13 de 10.08 bc 6.67 a Torpedo 40.87 bc
12.12 ab 6.06 ab LSD (0.05) 6.973 1.881 0.942 Standard Deviation
4.028 1.087 0.544 CV 10.22 10.18 8.51
[0036]
5TABLE 5 Morphological Measurements of Tall Fescues. Character
Rated Rating Data Type Panicle Heading* Rating Unit Length Day
Variety cm (Julian date) Bonsai 13.19 f 145.7 bc Bonanza 22.47 bc
150.2 a Bar Fa 08PB 26.26 a 146.6 ab Kentucky 31 Endo+ 23.96 ab
142.8 bc Rebel II 20.23 ca 142 c Rebel Jr 17.09 e 144.5 bc
Shortstop 19.85 d 145 bc Silverado 17.88 de 144.1 bc Torpedo 25.43
a 144.3 bc LSD (0.05) 2.482 3.79 Standard Deviation 1.434 2.19 CV
6.92 1.51 *The heading date of a plant is the date when two ears
are just visible.
[0037]
6TABLE 6 Morphological Measurements of Tall Fescues. Character
Rated Tiller* Tiller First Internode Peduncle Panicle Rating Data
Type Leaf Width Leaf Length Length Length Height Rating Unit
Variety mm cm cm cm cm Bonsai 6.54 e 9.91 e 12.07 d 42.13 cd 57.13
d Bonanza 10.12 a 19.55 ab 19.01 ab 55.23 ab 72.54 bc Bar Fa 08PB
7.93 cd 17.05 c 16.42 bc 44.54 bcd 73.45 bc Kentucky 31 Endo+ 10.42
a 20.26 a 22.77 a 57.51 a 101.9 a Rebel II 9.31 b 17.68 bc 16.81 bc
51.88 abc 77.45 b Rebel Jr 7.78 d 14.4 d 11.27 d 39.37 d 57.65 d
Shortstop 8.57 c 16.55 cd 16.52 bc 49.68 a-d 72.87 bc Silverado
7.93 cd 14.21 d 12.92 cd 43.65 bcd 67.56 c Torpedo 7.76 d 18.81 abc
16.63 bc 47.45 a-d 71.39 bc LSD (0.05) 0.697 2.31 4.05 10.586 8.833
Standard Deviation 0.403 1.335 2.34 6.115 5.103 CV 4.75 8.09 14.58
12.76 7.04 *A tiller is a shoot of the plant, formed on the base of
the plant.
[0038] In mid September 2001, after the seed heads were harvested
and above ground foliage was mowed, the amount of rhizome
production per plant was measured. Any shoot cluster emerging from
the soil and apart from the main plant was counted as one rhizome.
The total number of rhizomes per plant was counted. This data was
also used to calculate percentage of plants with rhizomes. The
distance from edge of the main plant to edge of the rhizome cluster
was measured, and the number of shoots in each rhizome cluster
counted.
[0039] Table 7 shows comparisons of several rhizome characteristics
of Bar Fa 08PB with other tall fescue varieties. Statistical
analysis was performed as described above. Means followed by same
letter do not significantly differ.
7TABLE 7 Rhizome Characteristics of Tall Fescues. Character Rated
Rhizome Rhizome Rhizome Shoots Rhizome Rating Data Type Count
Percent Shoots Per rhizome Length Rating Unit Variety % per plant
cm Bonsai 0.1 d 12 e 1 c 1 c 3 f Bonanza 1.2 b 66 b 3 c 2 bc 5 cde
Bar Fa 2.7 a 88 a 11 b 3 b 11 b 08PB Kentucky 0.9 bc 51 bc 4 c 2 bc
7 c 31 Endo+ Rebel II 0.6 cd 40 cd 3 c 2 bc 4 def Rebel Jr 0.6 cd
42 cd 2 c 1 c 4 ef Shortstop 0.4 cd 23 de 3 c 2 bc 6 cd Silverado
0.5 cd 34 cde 2 c 3 bc 4 ef Torpedo 3.1 a 93 a 15 a 5 a 15 a LSD
0.48 21 3.7 1.4 1.9 (0.05) Standard 0.28 12.1 2.1 0.8 1.1 Deviation
CV 24.8 24.33 42.53 34.04 16.71
[0040] Table 8 is a summary of morphological and rhizome
characteristics, which the range of values observed shown in
parenthesis, of Bar Fa 08PB with other tall fescue varieties.
Statistical analysis was performed as described above.
8TABLE 8 Range for Measurements of Tall Fescues. Character Rated
Rating Data Type Plant Rhizome Rhizome Rating Unit Height Count
Length Variety cm (range) number cm Bonsai 68.06 (12-100.6) 0.1
(0-2) 2.7 (1-4) Bonanza 86.92 (11.6-129.3) 1.2 (0-5) 5.3 (1-13) Bar
Fa 08PB 99.66 (27.9-135.3) 2.7 (0-10) 11 (1-33) Kentucky 31 126.69
(49.2-163.4) 0.9 (0-6) 6.7 (2-28) Endo+ Rebel II 97.53 (30.7-131)
0.6 (0-5) 4.3 (1-14) Rebel Jr 73.82 (45.4-114.2) 0.6 (0-4) 4 (2-9)
Shortstop 91.22 (29.8-135.4) 0.4 (0-5) 6.1 (1-13) Silverado 83.9
(7-114.5) 0.5 (0-3) 4.6 (2-10) Torpedo 101.23 (46.4-134.5) 3.1
(0-12) 14.7 (1-48) LSD (0.05) 6.764 0.5 2.76 Standard 18.903 1.39
7.64 Deviation CV 20.52 123.58 115.82
EXAMPLE 5
Resistance to Rust
[0041] The susceptibility of tall fescue to rust (Stem rust,
Puccinia grammis) was measured as follows. Seeds were grown as
described in EXAMPLE 4. Thirty-two weeks after seeding, symptoms of
a rust disease (which occurred naturally) were visible. Initial
symptoms were visible damage of leaves by rust spores. There were
also brown stripes visible on the leaves.
[0042] As shown in Table 9, significant difference in rust
susceptibility existed among tall fescue entries, with the Bar Fa
08PB variety having a mean disease rating of 8.6 and Silverado
having a disease rating of 4.5 (9=no visible symptoms; rating is
the mean of three replicates). Means followed by same letter do not
significantly differ (P=0.05, Duncan's New MRT).
9TABLE 9 Tall fesuce tolerance to Rust. Variety Rust tolerance
Bonsai 6.5 bc Bonanza 5.4 d Bar Fa 08PB 8.6 a Kentucky 31 Endo+ 6.5
b Rebel II 5.8 bcd Rebel Jr 6.4 bc Shortstop 5.8 cd Silverado 4.5 e
Torpedo 8.5 a LSD (0.05) 0.65 Standard Deviation 0.37 CV 5.78
EXAMPLE 6
Endophyte Characterization
[0043] Grass samples have the potential to contain endophytic
funguses that produce alkaloids. Of the alkaloids produced,
lolitrem B and ergovaline can cause animal health problems at
certain concentrations. Therefore, Bar Fa 08PB grass samples and
seed were analyzed for the presence of endophytes, specifically,
for the presence of ergovaline and lolitrem B, using chromatogram
analysis. Experimentation was performed by the Oregon State
University College of Veterinary Medicine.
[0044] To detect lolitrem B and ergovaline alkaloids, fluorometric
HPLC assays were conducted. Fescue straw was analyzed as a control.
The grass plants were found to have about 55 ppb of ergovaline and
<100 ppb of lolitrem B. The seeds had about 183 ppb of
ergovaline and <100 ppb of lolitrem B.
[0045] Toxicosis due to ergovaline is induced in livestock at the
following concentrations: horses, 300-500 ppb; cattle, 400-750 ppb;
and sheep, 88-1200+ ppb. Toxicosis due to lolitrem B can be seen in
livestock at about 1800-2000 ppb. Since Bar Fa 08PB plants only
have about 55 ppb of ergovaline and <100 ppb of lolitrem B, and
the seeds only 183 ppb ergovaline and <100 ppb of lolitrem B,
Bar Fa 08PB grass plants and seeds are not expected to be toxic to
livestock.
[0046] This data indicates that Bar Fa 08PB is safe for livestock.
Therefore, Bar Fa 08PB straw and grass plants can be used in
pastures for grazing, and to make hay to feed to livestock.
EXAMPLE 7
Production of Bar Fa 08PB Grasses
[0047] Bar Fa 08PB can be grown under normal conditions for growing
turf grasses, and bulk seed for large-scale planting can be
obtained by methods known in certified seed production. For
example, bulk seed may be produced by planting Bar Fa 08PB seeds
obtained from either ATCC (Accession No: PTA-3825) or Barenbrug
USA, Inc., allowing the mature plants to produce seed by
cross-pollination with each other and then collecting the seed.
Standard precautions should be taken to prevent cross-pollination
from other grasses, such as growing the variety in an isolated plot
of sterilized soil, removing adjacent vegetation, etc. The Bar Fa
08PB seeds deposited with ATCC are breeder seeds; propagation of
plants from these seeds can be performed under standard conditions
known to those skilled in the art.
EXAMPLE 8
Exemplary Uses of Bar Fa 08PB
[0048] Bar Fa 08PB can be used in the same way as other tall fescue
varieties. However, the high-turf quality and rhizome production
affords Bar Fa 08PB particular advantages over other varieties. For
example, the use of current commercially available varieties of
tall fescue grasses are limited to areas which do not experience
extreme high or low temperatures, such as the Southeastern United
States. However, Bar Fa 08PB which produces a high-quality turf in
subtropical climates and in the southern portion of the transition
zone, can be used in such areas. Thus, Bar Fa 08PB is especially
marketable and therefore useful.
EXAMPLE 9
Introducing Traits of Bar Fa 08PB Into Other Grass Varieties
[0049] The morphological and physiological characteristics of Bar
Fa 08PB, including the ability to produce a high-quality turf, can
be introduced into other grass varieties by conventional breeding
techniques. For example, Bar Fa 08PB can be grown in pollination
proximity to another variety of tall fescue grass, allowing
cross-pollination to occur between Bar Fa 08PB and the other
variety, and then harvesting the hybrid seeds. Plants grown from
these hybrid seeds can then be tested for the maintenance of the
molecular characteristics described above for Bar Fa 08PB , and/or
the plants can simply be observed to see if they display the same
growth characteristics described in the above tables.
[0050] For example, plants grown from these hybrid seeds can be
tested for any of the morphological characteristics described
herein, and/or for the production of a high-quality turf. In this
way, the high number of rhizomes and high quality turf
characteristics may be combined with other desirable plant
characteristics. Thus, the provision of Bar Fa 08PB enables the
production of progeny plants of Bar Fa 08PB having the rhizome and
high quality turf characteristics. "Progeny plants" of Bar Fa 08PB
are any plants that are the offspring of a cross between Bar Fa
08PB and any other plant or plants. Progeny plants also include
successive generations of the offspring, for example those selected
for high-quality turf production using the methods described
herein. First-generation progeny plants may retain the high-quality
turf production and rhizome characteristics of the Bar Fa 08PB
parent. However, if a first-generation progeny plant does not
retain the desired level of turf production and rhizomes observed
with Bar Fa 08PB, subsequent generations of offspring can be
recycled for turf production and rhizomes which have at least the
same turf production and rhizome characteristics of Bar Fa 08PB
described herein. In one embodiment, subsequent generations of
offspring can have a turf quality that exceeds that of Bar Fa 08PB,
and/or have more rhizomes than Bar Fa 08PB.
[0051] In addition, Bar Fa 08PB can be used as transformation
targets for the production of transgenic grasses. In certain
embodiments, the present disclosure contemplates the transformation
of cells derived from Bar Fa 08PB with at least one transgene. For
example, transgenes that can be used, include, but are not limited
to, transgenes that confer resistance to herbicides, insect,
disease (viral, bacterial, fingal, nematode) or drought resistance,
standability, prolificacy, salt damage resistance, and quality are
useful. Examples of such genes and methods of transforming plants
are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,545 to Lundquist et al.,
herein incorporated by reference.
[0052] Having illustrated and described the principles of the
disclosure in multiple embodiments and examples, it should be
apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosure can be
modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such
principles. The invention, therefore, encompasses all modifications
coming within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *